“Shaft mining was used to gain access to the veins of ore lying deep underground. A hole was dug straight down into the mine and equipped with a hoist to be then raised by horse power. The veins of ore were opened by blasting at different levels of the shaft and the miners working along these tunnels. Six shafts were sunk at Williamsburgh and Lyon Mountain used this type of tunnelling extensively.” (from The Saranac Valley, by Sarah Baker)

So, a few weeks ago there was some buzz on the street about the new trail up Lyon Mt. Not often we get new trails in the Adirondacks – especially purpose-built hiking trails. The old trail up is an example of the old-style of hiking where the “direct route” was favored. I won’t bore you with a trip report. What you need to know is this: The trail is longer. Though much easier, it takes about an hour longer.

In 2002, Governor George Pataki put forth his goal of preserving over 1 million new acres of open space over the next decade. Early this year, he made a significant step toward that goal by announcing the purchase of over 100,000 acres of land located in the northern region of Franklin and Clinton Counties.

"These trails are constructed for motor vehicles operating at a high rate of speed" ... "The state argues that the new trails will enable DEC to close routes in the interior of the Preserve, enhancing its overall wildness."

"Public hearings are going on right now in towns and cities across New York state. In all there are a total of 102 different parcels being affected by various proposed changes, some of them major and some minor."

"How nature and the outdoors are appreciated or experienced differs across cultures. We must therefore continue to understand what people care about and why, as well as how forests are viewed, valued, and being used by our changing communities."

"The destinations presented in the media are generally so unattainable by most people that they might as well be on the moon–and don’t even bother going if you’re not wearing expensive, high-tech apparel and using modern, high-priced gear."

"The Adirondacks may be relatively young mountains, but their distinctive grey granite, anorthosite, originated 1.1 billion ago, so deep in the earth's crust that only continental collision could have formed it."

"The Tribe believes the County’s efforts to impose taxation or regulation of businesses on tribal land is not only unlawful, it creates an undue economic burden that is harmful to our community’s economic development and enterprises."

"... our legislators decided to turn it over to a sketchy non-profit corporation that is not subject to the same scrutiny under the FOIL [Freedom of Information Law] and Open Meetings Law that every other agency is."

"In my opinion, a lot of the problem is that ORDA and the Convention and Visitors Bureau don't work together, year round, for the common goal of promoting the community, for the benefit of the whole region."